NNUH makes smoke-free pledge
NNUH Chief People Officer Paul Jones and Chairman David White
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is joining other NHS and public health organisations to declare its support for a smoke-free NHS.
The Trust has signed a Smoke-free Pledge to signal its commitment to helping smokers to quit and creating a smoke-free environment that supports them to do so.
Paul Jones, Chief People Officer, said: “This pledge reinforces the work we are undertaking to become fully smoke-free, supporting our patients and staff to live healthier lifestyles. It is a clear and visible way for NHS organisations to show their commitment to helping smokers to quit, providing access to the medication they need and smoke free environments.”
A Healthy Living event was held on 11 March at the N&N Hospital site to promote healthier lifestyles for both patients and staff. Norfolk’s Smoke-free service were at the event to provide advice to those who want to consider the support and methods available to gain a successful quit.
The Smoke free pledge will be supported by new signage on hospital sites. NNUH is also making nicotine replacement therapy available to inpatients on admission to hospital and smoking status is discussed when patients have a pre-assessment appointment before surgery. Patients will be advised not to smoke on the hospital premises. Equally visitors and outpatients are being encouraged not to smoke when they come to hospital. On the Trust’s largest site, nicotine replacement therapy will be available in the WHSmith shop on the N&N Hospital site.
The Trust has been holding meetings with staff to gather their views and are recruiting Smoke Free Champions who will help to promote good practice and encourage patients and staff to become smoke-free.
The cost of smoking to the NHS in England is £2.5 billion every year, and one in four patients in hospital is a smoker.
According to the pledge, the tobacco industry’s products kill 80,000 people in England every year.